(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis had a private meeting in the Vatican on Monday afternoon
with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. During their cordial
discussion, the two leaders talked about the need for peace in Syria and the wider
Middle East, as well as about the life of the Catholic community in Russia. It’s
the fourth time the Russian leader has been here to the Vatican – he met twice with
Pope John Paul II in 2000 and 2003 and had an audience with Pope Benedict in 2007. In
September this year, Pope Francis also wrote directly to President Putin, as the city
of St Petersburg prepared to host the G20 summit of world economic leaders. In that
letter, the Pope spoke of the need for a more just global financial framework, stressing
that “the world economy will only develop if it allows a dignified way of life for
all human beings, from the eldest to the unborn child, not just for citizens of the
G20 member states but for every inhabitant of the earth, even those in extreme social
situations or in the remotest places... “ Pope Francis also focused in that letter
on the need for an urgent solution to the Syrian conflict, saying: “It is regrettable
that, from the very beginning of the conflict in Syria, one-sided interests have prevailed
and in fact hindered the search for a solution that would have avoided the senseless
massacre now unfolding..”
Please find below the full text of the statement
from the Holy See press office:
In the afternoon of Monday 25 November 2013,
the President of the Russian Federation, His Excellency Mr. Vladimir Putin, was
received in audience by the Holy Father Francis. Mr. Putin subsequently went on
to meet with the Secretary of State, Archbishop Pietro Parolin, who was accompanied
by the Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti.
During
the cordial discussions, satisfaction was expressed for the good existing bilateral relations,
and the Parties focused on various questions of common interest, especially in relation to
the life of the Catholic community in Russia, revealing the fundamental contribution
of Christianity in society. In this context, mention was made of the critical situation
faced by Christians in some regions of the world, as well as the defence of and
promotion of values regarding the dignity of the person, and the protection of
human life and the family.
Furthermore, special attention was paid to the pursuit
of peace in the Middle East and the grave situation in Syria, with reference to
which President Putin expressed thanks for the letter addressed to him by the Holy
Father on the occasion of the G20 meeting in St. Petersburg. Emphasis was placed
on the urgency of the need to bring an end to the violence and to ensure necessary
humanitarian assistence for the population, as well as to promote concrete initiatives for
a peaceful solution to the conflict, favouring negotiation and involving the various
ethnic and religious groups, recognising their essential role in society.